IWHSSHCHUSETTS 

RGRlGUIiTUHAIi  GOIiIiEGE, 


AlVlHEf^ST,     IVIflSS. 


The  IVIassaehasetts  Agrieoltaral  College. 


Thirty-live  years  ago,  in  the  midst  of  the  greatest  struggle  the  world 
has  ever  witnessed,  when  every  muscle  was  being  strained  to  the  utmost  to 
provide  means  for  preserving  the  national  existence,  our  Senators  and  Rep- 
resentatives in  Congress  assembled,  reversing  the  old  adage,  "  In  time  of 
peace  prepare  for  war,"  calmly  turned  aside  from  the  absorbing  topics  of 
the  day,  and  in  time  of  war  prepared  for  peace  by  passing  an  act  for  the 
benefit  of  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  providing  for  the  establishment 
of  national  schools  of  science  in  every  State  of  this  great  country.  They 
were  to  be  colleges,  in  which  it  was  explicitly  declared  the  leading  object 
should  be,  without  excluding  other  scientific  and  classical  studies,  and 
including  military  tactics,  to  teach  such  branches  of  learning  as  are  related 
to  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislatures  of 
the  States  may  respectively  prescribe,  in  order  to  promote  the  liberal  and 
practical  education  of  the  industrial  classes  in  the  several  pursuits  and 
professions  of  life.  ]n  such  broad  and  liberal  spirit,  trammelled  by  few 
conditions,  was  framed  this  earliest  act  of  Congress  for  the  promotion  of 
national  popular  education.  In  the  words  of  the  distinguished  author 
himself,  the  Hon.  Justin  S.  Morrill  of  A^ermont,  "  the  bill  proposed  to 
establish  at  least  one  college  in  every  State,  upon  a  sure  and  perpetual 
foundation,  accessible  to  all,  but  especially  to  the  sons  of  toil,  where  all 
the  needful  science  for  the  practical  avocations  of  life  shall  be  taught,  .  . 
and  where  agriculture,  the  foundation  of  all  present  and  future  prosperity, 
may  look  for  troops  of  earnest  friends,  studying  its  familiar  and  recondite 
economies,  and  at  last  elevating  it  to  that  higher  level  where  it  may  fear- 
lessly invoke  comparison  with  the  most  advanced  standards  of  the  world." 

From  the  sale  of  the  360,000  acres  of  the  public  lands,  allotted  to 
Massachusetts,  was  realized  the  sum  of  $208,464,  and  in  187 1  this  amount 
was  further  increased  by  the  Legislature  to  $360,000,  the  whole  constitut- 
ing a  perpetual  fund  for  the  promotion  of  education  in  agriculture  and  the 
mechanic  arts,  two-thirds  of  the  income  to  be  annually  paid  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  Agricultural  College  and  one-third  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Institute 
of  Technology. 

Tw^enty-five  years  later,  a  second  great  act  of  Congress  established  in 
connection  with  each  college  a  department  of  agricultural  experimentation, 
at  an  annual  expenditure  of  three-fourths  of    a  million  dollars. 


4  The  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College. 

Again  three  years,  and  the  Hon.  Justin  S.  Morrill,  with  whom  had  orig- 
inated the  first  act,  after  a  careful  observance  for  twenty-eight  years  of  the 
colleges  he  had  been  instrumental  in  establishing,  came  forward  with  a  new 
measure  for  their  endowment,  by  an  annual  grant  to  each  one  of  the  same 
amount,  commencing  with  $15,000  and  increasing  each  year  $1,000  till  the 
maximum  of  $25,000  had  been  reached,  at  which  figure  it  was  to  remain 
without  further  increase.  This  again  was  divided  in  Massachusetts,  one- 
third  being  paid  to  the  Institute  of  Technology  and  two-thirds  to  this 
college. 

Never  w^as  there  a  more  munificent  gift  by  a  nation  in  the  cause  of 
education.  First,  ten  million  acres  of  the  public  lands,  the  proceeds  from 
the  sale  of  which  to  constitute  an  inviolable  fund  for  the  establishment  and 
maintenance  of  at  least  one  college  in  every  State  which  should  accept  the 
grant ;  second,  an  annual  appropriation  of  three-quarters  of  a  million  dol- 
lars for  purposes  of  investigation  and  experimentation  in  all  matters  per- 
taining to  the  intelligent  practice  of  agriculture  ;  third,  an  annual  appro- 
priation of  one  million  dollars  for  further  maintenance  and  support.  It 
was  a  fortunate  period  in  which  these  colleges  were  established.  The  rapid 
development  of  the  various  branches  of  mechanical  and  physical  science 
had  been  accompanied  by  a  corresponding  application  of  them  in  industrial 
pursuits  and  a  consequent  demand  for  thoroughly  trained  and  competent 
men.  In  the  hearing  before  the  committee  on  education  the  effect  was  thus 
briefly  epitomized.  The  result  was  that  large  numbers  of  the  most  promis- 
ing youth  of  the  country  were  drawn  to  these  institutions  which  opened  up 
so  many  possibilities.  This  movement  gave  an  impulse  which  was  felt  by 
every  school  of  science  in  the  country.  It  forced  new  methods  of  instruc- 
tion to  meet  the  constantly  increasing  demand.  It  compelled  expensive 
outlays  for  equipment  which  should  keep  pace  with  this  new  and  practical 
education  of  the  people.  It  was  the  "awakening  of  a  new  intellectual 
life,  and  there  was  a  certain  freshness  of  interest,  a  spirit  of  youth,  a  gen- 
erous enthusiasm,  which  argued  the  happiest  results,  and  which  time  has 
only  strengthened  as  the  years  roll  on."  The  pet  idea  of  Ezra  Cornell, 
that  he  would  "found  an  institution  where  any  person  could  find  instruc- 
tion in  any  study,"  would  seem  to  be  realized.  To-day  65  colleges, 
thoroughly  equipped  with  laboratories  and  workshops,  and  provided  with 
the  latest  and  most  approved  apparatus,  officered  by  1,600  professors  and 
instructors,  shelter  within  their  walls  an  army  of  young  men  21,000  strong. 
Twenty-one  regiments,  captained  and  led  by  the  best  and  keenest  intellects 
available,  are  all  making  for  progress  and  development  along  certain  well- 
defined  lines.  Five,  planting  their  outposts  in  every  nook  and  corner  of 
the  vast  domain  of  nature,  are  calling  upon   the  earth,   the  air,    the   water 


The  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College.  5 

to  give  up  their  secrets.  Sixteen  are  pushing  their  way  in  the  various 
industries,  but  eacli  and  all  are  making  instantly  felt  the  contact  of  a  new 
and  vigorous  life  and  awakening  fresh  enterprise  and  fresh  eiTort.  "  Many 
of  the  youth  composing  this  vast  army  receive  their  entire  support  from  home, 
but  many  others  are  supporting  themselves  by  their  own  exertions,  almost 
or  wholly  unaided,  and  many  others  come  from  homes  where  every  dollar 
contributed  to  the  education  of  a  son  or  daughter  involves  some  appreciable 
sacrifice.  They  are  all  acquiring  habits  of  industry,  energy  and  self- 
reliance.  They  represent  more  fully  than  any  other  class  of  institutions 
the  real  bone  and  sinew  and  brain  of  the  country.  They  represent  in  no 
small  degree  the  brain  and  purpose  of  the  coming  generation.  They 
represent  the  great  body  of  the  people,  from  which  are  very  largely 
recruited  the  best  elements  of  our  political,  our  social  and  industrial 
activities." 

Thirty  years  ago  this  year  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College  first 
opened  its  doors  to  students,  and  in  this  the  closing  year  of  its  third  decade 
of  existence  it  seems  pertinent  to  inquire  whether  it  has  warranted  the  gen- 
erous outlay  of  nation  and  State  for  its  support, — whether  it  has  fulfilled 
the  purpose  for  which  it  was  founded,  and  sent  forth  honest,  manly  citizens 
to  serve  their  country  and  their  State  and  adorn  the  different  trades  and 
professions  of  life.  The  wealth  of  a  college  is  the  life  of  her  sons,  and 
her  success  is  measured  by  the  success  of  her  sons. 

In  its  brief  history  of  one  score  years  and  ten,  1,096  men  have  attended 
the  college  and  510  have  graduated;  87  have  passed  away,  15  only  from 
among  the  graduates  and  72  from  the  remainder.  Of  the  living,  348  are 
in  agricultural  pursuits  distributed  as  follows  :  farmers,  186  ;  farm  super- 
intendents, 23  ;  market  gardeners  and  florists,  46  ;  veterinarians,  16  ; 
creamery  managers,  6;  stock  and  poultry  raisers,  10;  entomologists,  8  ; 
officers  in  experiment  stations,  19;  in  the  fertilizer  business,  12;  teachers 
in  agricultural  colleges,  22.  Other  industries  are  represented  by  chemists, 
9;  civil  engineers  and  architects,  43;  electricians,  10;  mechanics,  40; 
employed  on  railroads,  15;  dentists,  6;  druggists,  7;  teachers,  34;  min- 
isters, 8  ;  students  for  advanced  degrees,  39  ;  postal  clerks,  7  ;  doctors,  40  ; 
journalists  and  publishers,  18  ;  in  the  army  and  navy,  5  ;  lawyers,  20  ;  and 
in  business,  270.  Our  graduates  are  found  in  every  State,  filling  positions 
of  honor.  The  record  is  a  good  one.  We  have  furnished  Japan  with  i 
president  and  7  professors.  We  have  given  presidents  to  Rhode  Island 
and  North  Dakota  and  a  vice-chancellor  to  Indiana.  We  have  sent  5  pro- 
fessors to  Rhode  Island,  2  each  to  Alabama,  Michigan,  Ohio,  Mississippi, 
Missouri,  Tennessee,  Indiana,  Connecticut  and  New  Hampshire,  and  i 
each  to  Delaware,   Minnesota,   Illinois,  Virginia,   Maine,   Colorado,  Texas 


The  Massachuseiis   A(;Kicin;ruRAi,   College.  7 

and  Maryland.  \a\e  has  drawn  upon  our  lawyers  for  an  instructor  in 
criminal  law  and  medico-legal  jurisprudence.  Harvard  has  called  our  grad- 
uates to  her  veterinary  and  dental  schools,  and  Canada  has  found  a 
botanist  for  McGill  University.  We  have  furnished  the  vice-director  to  the 
ofifice  of  experiment  stations  at  Washington,  and  directors  to  Indiana,  North 
Dakota,  Vermont,  Rhode  Island  and  Brazil,  besides  filling  63  other  positions 
in  the  different  experiment  stations  of  the  country. 

Thirty  years  ago,  with  a  staff  of  five  instructors  and  four  buildings, 
without  a  library,  without  appliances  of  any  sort,  the  college  opened  its 
doors  to  the  27  young  men  who  presented  themselves  for  admittance. 
To-day,  if  one  of  these  same  young  men  should  revisit  the  college,  he 
could  but  marvel  at  the  change.  He  will  find  an  opportunity  of  securing 
a  maximum  education  at  a  minimum  cost,  tuition  free,  board  at  a  trifling 
figure  and  work  to  be  had  for  the  asking,  if  the  necessities  of  his  case 
demand  such  aid.  He  will  find  a  farm  of  150  acres  under  cultivation,  with 
model  barn  stocked  with  100  head  of  cattle  and  equipped  with  the  latest 
and  most  improved  machinery.  He  will  find  a  horticultural  department  of 
100  acres,  with  greenhouses,  orchards  and  grounds  laid  out  for  the  practical 
study  of  market  gardening,  floriculture,  fruit  culture  and  forestry.  He 
will  find  an  experiment  department,  some  80  acres  in  extent,  with  labora- 
tories, greenhouses,  insectaries  and  barns,  where  are  being  worked  out  all 
conceivable  problems  in  the  use  of  fertilizers,  in  the  feeding  of  animals,  in 
soil  investigations,  plant  diseases,  testing  of  fruits  and  vegetables,  preven- 
tion of  insect  ravages,  and  relations  of  temperature  and  moisture  to  growth. 
He  will  find  a  growing  library  of  18,000  carefully  selected  volumes,  almost 
entirely  scientific  in  its  character  and  well  abreast  of  the  literature  of  the 
day,  in  wdiich  he  will  not  only  be  invited  and  urged  to  enter,  but  to  which 
he  will  be  sent  to  look  up  information  for  himself,  and  taught  how  to  inves- 
tigate any  given  subject  and  to  weigh  and  value  the  testimony  of  authori- 
ties. He  will  find  a  corps  of  18  professors  and  assistants,  each  doing 
faithfully  and  conscientiously  the  work  assigned  him.  He  will  find  a 
certain  definite  required  curriculum  for  three  years,  with  liberty  to  select 
and  specialize  in  the  fourth  ;  and  together  with  this,  eleven  short  winter 
courses  especially  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  those  whom  circumstances 
debar  from  spending  a  longer  time  in  the  prosecution  of  their  studies. 
He  will  find  a  superstructure  of  agricultural  education,  reared  somewhat 
after  this  fashion  ;  agriculture  the  foundation  ;  botany,  chemistry,  zoology 
and  mathematics  the  four  corner-stones ;  while  the  walls  are  solidly  built 
up  with  English,  horticulture,  fioriculture  and  forestry  on  the  one  side, 
English,  physiology,  entomology,  comparative  anatomy  of  the  domestic 
animals  and  veterinary  on  the  other,  English,  mechanics,  physics  and  civil 


The  Massachusktis   AdKUMn/rcRAi.  Colle(;e.  9 

engineering  on  the  third,  and  English.  French,  German,  political  economy 
and  constitutional  history  on  the  fourth.  The  study  of  his  own  language, 
he  will  find,  is  made  the  basis  of  all  study,  interwoven  with  every  course, 
in  fact,  the  very  warp  and  woof  of  every  branch  pursued.  If  he  wants  to 
become  a  farmer,  a  market  gardener  or  a  fruit  grower,  he  will  find  the 
appliances  at  hand  and  every  opportunity  to  become  conversant  with  the 
art.  If  he  wants  to  become  a  good  chemist,  every  facility  will  be  given 
him.  If  he  wants  to  become  a  good  botanist,  few  places  will  offer  him 
better  instruction.  If  he  wants  to  become  a  good  entomologist,  he  will 
have  to  search  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land  to  find  equal  opportuni- 
ties. If  he  wants  to  become  a  good  civil  engineer,  the  foundations  will  be 
laid  deep  and  strong.  And  he  will  further  find,  if  he  inquires,  that  the 
course  covers  such  extensive  ground  in  botany,  chemistry,  physiology  and 
allied  branches  that  graduates  entering  veterinary  or  medical  schools  stand 
at  a  great  advantage,  and  in  the  former  case  are  allowed  one  year's  time. 
In  fact,  he  will  find  that  the  whole  aim  and  purpose  of  the  college  has 
been  to  so  educate  its  students  as  to  prepare  them  to  play  well  their  part 
in  the  "  several  pursuits  and  professions  of  life." 

It  is  too  early  yet  to  ascertain  how  far  the  eleven  short  winter  courses 
established  this  year  meet  the  requirements  of  those  whose  circumstances 
forbid  a  longer  stay  at  the  college.  The  effort  has  been  made  to  make 
them  as  practical  as  possible,  along  such  lines  as  experience  has  shown  to 
be  most  helpful.  To  benefit  the  many  and  "  to  give  instruction,"  as  is 
finely  written  over  one  of  the  archways  in  the  great  library  at  Washington, 
"to  those  who  cannot  procure  it  for  themselves"  is  the  sole  aim  of  these 
winter  courses.  In  the  brief  time  allotted,  the  instruction  must  be  more 
or  less  elementary  in  its  character  ;  but  the  double  courses  provided  permit 
concentrated  attention  upon  a  given  subject  in  one  year,  or  continuous 
study  in  successive  years.  The  increasing  activity  of  women  in  the  indus- 
trial pursuits,  and  the  consequent  demand  for  instruction,  has  led  to  the 
opening  of  special  elective  courses  for  them,  in  such  branches  as  botany, 
entomology,  floriculture,  fruit  culture,  jnarket  gardening  and  the  dairy. 


The  English  Department. 


The  English  department  in  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College 
aims  to  secure  the  following  results  :  Ability  to  give  oral  and  written 
expression  of  thought  in  correct,  effective  English  ;  ability  to  present,  in 
logical  form,  oral  and  written  arguments  on  questions  assigned  for  debate ; 
such  acquaintance  with  the  masterpieces  of  English  literature  as  shall 
enrich  the  student's  mind  with  the  best  thought  of  the  English  language. 

During  Freshman  year  (three  hours  each  week),  and  Sophomore  year 
(two  hours  each  week),  Genung's  Outlines  of  Rhetoric  is  the  text-book. 
The  work  in  written  expression  consists  of  written  exercises,  illus- 
trating the  principles  developed  in  the  text-book,  and  essays  upon  subjects 
assigned  by  the  instructor.  Oral  expression  is  cultivated  by  exercises  in 
declamation,  first  before  the  instructor,  then  in  presence  of  the  class. 
Particular  attention  is  given  to  the  cultivation  of  a  natural  style  in  speak- 
ing and  such  suggestions  respecting  management  of  the  voice,  articulation, 
and  gesticulation  are  given  as  individual  circumstances  require.  During 
Sophomore  year  especial  emphasis  is  laid  upon  practical  exercises  in 
description,  narration,  exposition,  and  argumentative  writing. 

Four  hours  each  week  are  given  to  English  during  the  first  two  terms 
of  Junior  3-ear,  and  two  hours  each  week  during  the  third  term.  Pancoast's 
Representative  Eng/is/i  Literature  is  the  text-book,  the  work  as  outlined 
therein  being  supplemented  by  collateral  readings.  The  representative 
selections  are  studied  critically  and  furnish  subjects  for  essays.  At  least 
four  orations  are  written  by  each  member  of  the  class  during  the  year, 
which  orations  are  corrected  by  the  instructor,  rehearsed  before  him  and 
delivered  in  presence  of  the  class. 

The  first  term  of  Senior  year,  (two  hours  each  week),  is  given  to 
Jevons's  Logic  (Science  Primer  Series).  One  essay  on  a  subject,  biograph- 
ical, historical  or  literarv,  is  written  during  this  term.  During  the 
second  and  third  terms  (two  hours  each  week)  written  and  oral  debates 
are  required,  particular  attention  being  given  to  preparation  of  briefs  and 
to  logical  argument.  Recent  writers  of  English  literature  are  studied  and 
time  is  allowed  for  the  preparation  of  graduation  theses. 

-An  elective  in  English  during  Senior  year  (five  hours  each  week) 
offers,  to  those  who  desire  it,  a  course  in  the  elements  of  Anglo-Saxon 
grammar  and  the  reading  of  easy  Anglo-Saxon  prose;  also  a  course  in  the 
history  of  the  English  language,  in  English  etymology,  and  in  the  critical 
study  of  the  works  of  the  masters  of    English  speech. 


The   Course  in  Agriculture. 


It  is  the  purpose  and  plan  of  the  AjT^ricultural  department  of  the  col- 
lege to  focus  the  information  gathered  in  a  general  study  on  the  successful 
operation  and  management  of  a  farm  :  to  show  how  to  make  ''  two  blades 
of  grass  grow  where  one  grew  before  ;  "  to  improve  the  credit  side  of  the 
farmer's  balance  sheet;  and  to  enhance  the  profits,  the  pleasure,  and  the 
nobility  of  agriculture. 

To  this  end  a  practical  course  of  lectures  has  been  arranged,  supple- 
mented by  text-books,  library  references,  class-room  demonstrations  and 
practical  work  in  every  principal  division  of  the  subject. 

The  soil  is  first  studied  in  its  origin  and  formation,  noticing  the  differ- 
ent kinds  of  soils,  their  value  and  most  advantageous  management ;  their 
physical  properties  and  how  to  improve  them  ;  their  composition  in  rela- 
tion to  productiveness,  and  lastly,  the  methods  of  testing  soils  to  determine 
their  value  antl  adaptability  to  different  farm  crops. 

Then  soil  improvement  is  discussed  including  all  the  various  processes 
for  making  soils  more  productive,  without  expense  for  artificial  plant  food, 
by  improving  their  physical  and  mechanical  condition.  Tillage,  subsoil- 
ing,  mixing,  drainage,  irrigation,  etc.  are  each  taught  by  means  of  lectures 
and  practical  demonstrations. 

The  subject  of  manures  and  fertilizers  is  treated  in  a  manner  to 
enable  the  student  to  understand  how  to  secure  the  greatest  fertilizing 
effect  at  the  lowest  cost.  Manurial  materials  are  carefully  studied  with 
reference  to  their  constituents  and  effect  on  the  growth  of  farm  crops. 
The  special  requirements  of  vari(jus  crops  are  brought  out,  and  the  needs 
of  different  soils.  The  course  in  this  particular  enables  the  farmer  to  save 
dollars  per  acre  on  every  crop  he  grows,  by  teaching  him  to  avoid  unnec- 
essary expense  for  useless  fertilizing  materials  and  to  procure  just  the  arti- 
cles his  soils  and  crops  require.  .Ml  kinds  of  farm  crops  are  considered 
with  especial  reference  to  their  economic  agricultural  value,  and  the  best 
methods  of  management. 

Some  attention  is  given  to  farm  implements,  machinery,  and  equip- 
ments, as  well  as  to  approved  plans  of  farm  buildings. 

An  entire  year  is  devoted  to  the  study  of  animal  husbandry  giving 
prominence  to  stock  breeding,  breeds  of  farm  animals,  their  management, 
etc.,  while  the  scientific  and  practical  feeding  of  animals  is  taught  with 
much  care  and  thoroughness. 


The  Course  in  Agriculture.  13 

Dairy  instruction  is  given  in  an  especially  effective  way  by  supple- 
menting  class-room  work  with  actual  operations  in  each  department  of 
dairying,  including  separation  of  cream,  ripening,  butter-making,  milk  test- 
ing, and  pasteurizing  milk  and  cream. 

The  facilities  for  instruction  embrace  besides  lectures,  text-books,  and 
library,  a  large  collection  of  apparatus  for  illustration.  Collections  of 
soils,  fertilizing  materials,  crops,  seeds,  weeds,  grasses,  farm  implements, 
models  of  farm  animals,  etc.,  are  in  constant  use  in  the  class-room. 

The  college  stud  of  French  Coach  and  Percheron  horses,  the  cattle  of 
all  leading  dairy  breeds,  and  the  sheep  and  swine  are  a  valuable  object 
lesson,  and  are  used  in  judging  to  a  scale  of  points,  and  illustrating  excel- 
lencies and  defects  in  their  respective  classes. 

The  Dairy  department  is  fully  equipped  with  a  large  variety  of  the 
best  apparatus,  and  is  operated  under  the  direction  of  experts  in  milk  test- 
ing, separating,  and  butter-making. 


Department  of  Mathematics  and  Engineering. 


The  course  of  study  in  the  mathematical  and  engineering  department 
inchides  not  only  the  subjects  pure  mathematics  and  engineering,  which  its 
name  implies,  but  also  physics  and  drawing ;  the  Avork  of  the  first  three 
years  being  prescribed,  that  of  the  senior  year,  elective. 

In  the  Freshman  year,  book-keeping,  advanced  algebra,  plane  and 
solid  geometry  are  studied  in  the  order  mentioned,  the  student  being  thor- 
oughly drilled  in  these  subjects  in  the  recitation  room  and  being  required 
to  hand  in,  daily,  problems  solved  outside  of  the  class-room. 

Trigonometry  is  then  taken  up,  in  the  fall  term  of  the  Sophomore  year, 
as  a  basis  for  the  study  of  plane  surveying.  The  latter  subject  is  begun  in 
the  winter  term  of  the  Sophomore  year  with  a  study  of  the  methods  of 
plane  surveying  and  the  care,  adjustment  and  manipulation  of  the  instru- 
ments, so  that  the  student  may  be  prepared  to  go  into  the  field  in  spring  to 
make  actual  surveys,  without  the  delay  attendant  upon  acquiring  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  manipulation  of  the  instruments  at  that  tune.  The  department 
is  well  equipped  for  this  work,  having  upwards  of  a  dozen  instruments, — 
plane-table,  transits,  levels,  and  compasses, — and  numerous  tapes,  chains, 
pins,  rods,  and  poles. 

In  the  next  year,  the  Junior,  the  work  in  the  department  is  lim- 
ited to  the  study  of  physics,  which  continues  throughout  the  year.  The 
subject  is  conducted  primarily  as  a  lecture-course,  supplemented  however 
by  recitations  and  b}^  a  laboratory  course  in  the  winter  term.  The  princi- 
ples of  mechanics,  electricity,  light,  sound,  and  heat  are  successively 
treated  in  the  lecture-room,  while  the  students  are  assigned  many  prob- 
lems to  be  solved  outside  of  the  class-room,  as  well  as  parallel  courses  of 
outside  reading. 

Two  terms  are  devoted  to  the  study  of  drawing, — the  Avinter  terms  of 
the  Freshman  and  Sophomore  years  respectively.  In  the  first  of  these, 
the  elements  of  perspective,  and  free-hand  drawing  in  charcoal  and  in 
pencil,  from  casts  and  simple  objects,  are  taken  up  ;  while  in  the  succeed- 
ing year,  the  course  is  concluded  by  the  study  of  mechanical  drawing,  the 
theory  of  projections,  and  shades  and  shadows. 

The  above  mentioned  studies,  briefly  outlined,  constitute  the  prescribed 
work  of  the  mathematical  and  engineering  departments.  Two  electives, 
however,  are  open  to  the  students  in  the  Senior  year, — one  in  engineering, 
the   other  in  mathematics.     The   latter   is   offered    with  a  view  to    supple- 


Department  of  Mathematics  and  Engineerin(;.  17 

meriting  the  course  in  engineering  and  to  enable  sucli  students  as  may 
think  of  entering  the  field  of  teaching,  to  carry  their  study  of  matliematics 
somewhat  furtlier  than  is  at  present  possible  in  the  first  three  years  of  the 
course.  Five  hours  a  week  being  allowed  to  the  electives,  it  is  possible  in 
this  course  of  study  to  take  up,  during  the  year,  not  only  analytic  geometry 
but  also  differential  and  integral  calculus. 

The  course  in  engineering  is  designed  to  give  to  the  student  sufficient 
knowledge  of  the  elements  of  engineering  to  enable  him  to  apply  his 
knowledge  of  landscape  gardening,  forestry,  horticulture,  etc.,  to  the 
development  of  property  and  the  laying  out  of  estates.  It  comprises  a 
study  of  the  methods  of  topographical  surveying,  road  and  railroad  curves 
and  earthwork,  highway  construction,  and  elementary  structures  ;  and 
while  it  cannot  be  hoped  in  the  time  devoted  to  the  subject  to  give  the 
student  a  thorough  knowledge  of  civil  engineering,  it  is  believed  that  a 
good  foundation  is  laid  for  the  future  study  of  that  science,  and  that  a 
working  knowledge  of  the  branches  of  the  subject  essential  to  the  land- 
scape architect  is  acquired  by  the  student. 


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The  Department  of  Botany. 


A  knowledge  of  botany  in  connection  with  the  study  of  agriculture  is 
essential  because  the  laws  which  govern  all  plants  fall  under  the  domain 
of  botany,  furnishing  the  basis  of  all  agricultural  investigation.  In  an 
agriculiural  institution,  a  course  in  botany  should  be  comprehensive,  and 
at  the  same  time  deal  especially  with  those  branches  most  closely  allied  to 
agriculture. 

The  course  is  intended  to  follow  a  natural  and  logical  order.  In  the 
Freshman  year  the  student  devotes  his  time  to  the  study  of  morphology  of 
the  plant,  or  in  other  words  to  the  study  of  the  seed,  root,  stem,  leaf, 
flower,  fruit,  etc.,  and  also  to  systematic  or  analytical  botany.  The  work 
of  this  year  gives  the  student  a  knowledge  of  the  parts  of  a  plant,  together 
with  some  familiarity  with  our  common  species.  A  few  years  ago  even  our 
higher  institutions  of  learning  did  not  attempt  to  carry  botany  beyond  this 
stage,  leaving  the  student  with  merely  a  more  or  less  cumbersome  Latin 
vocabulary.  To-day,  however,  it  is  admitted  that  it  is  of  prime  importance 
to  know  what  the  plant  does,  and  hoiu  it  does  it. 

During  the  first  part  of  the  Sophomore  year  economic  botany  is  taken 
up.  This  includes  a  study  of  our  common  trees,  shrubs,  and  grasses,  as 
well  as  the  useful  properties  of  plants.  This  work  isfollow^ed  by  the  study 
of  elementary  physiology  and  histology,  or  minute  structure  of  a  few  types, 
the  exercises  being  carried  on  in  the  laboratory. 

The  above  fundamental  features  of  botany  are  now  more  or  less  cov- 
ered in  some  of  our  preparatory  schools,  and  after  this  elementary  knowl- 
edge has  been  acquired,  the  most  important  branches  relating  to  agricul- 
ture that  can  be  pursued  are  vegetable  physiology  and  pathology,  or  in 
other  words  the  study  of  the  normal   functions  and  the  diseases  of  plants. 

The  senior  year,  which  is  elective,  is  given  up  to  a  consideration  of 
the  above  mentioned  subjects,  for  the  study  of  which  a  large  amount  of 
material  and  a  great  variety  of  apparatus  are  required.  In  the  study  of 
plant  diseases  abundant  material  can  be  obtained  from  the  green-houses, 
orchards,  and  gardens  ;  but  for  physiological  work,  which  is  largely  exper- 
imental, an  extensive  equipment  is  essential.  Yox  this  purpose  the  labor- 
atory is  well  supplied  with  microscopes,  microtomes,  histological  reagents, 
and  in  fact  innumerable  forms  of  appliances  for  experimenting  with  and 
illustrating  the   phenomena  of  plant  life.      Provision  is  also   made   during 


Thf.  Depvrt.ment  of  Boiany. 


Senior  vear  for  those    students   desiring  to  pursue    original    in\-estigation, 
material  and  apparatus  being  placed  at  their  disposal. 

In  addition  to  the  above  there  is  offered  a  post-graduate  course  in 
plant  physiology  and  its  relation  to  agriculture.  This  work  must  be  of  an 
original  character,  and  upon  its  successful  completion,  (together  with  work 
in  some  other  subject),  the  student  may  recei\e  the  degree  of  M.  S. 


The  Horticultural  Department. 


In  the  work  of  instruction  in  Horticulture  the  aim  is  to  make  a  practi- 
cal application  of  the  principles  of  plant  growth  and  fertilization  to  the 
production  of  fruit,  market  garden  and  greenhouse  crops  and  to  the  culti- 
vation of  trees  and  shrubs  for  ornamentation  of  private  and  public  grounds. 

FRUIT    CULTURE. 

For  this  w-ork  the  department  is  equipped  wdth  orchards  of  all  the 
standard  and  new  varieties  of  the  large  fruits,  and  plantations  of  small 
fruits,  the  numbers  of  varieties  of  each  being  as  follows  : 

Apples  179,  Pears  32,  Peaches  ^t,,  Plums  85,  Cherries  32,  Quinces  7. 
Grapes  164  named  varieties  and  340  seedlings.  Currants  25,  Blackberries 
22,  Red  Raspberries  24,  Black-cap  Raspberries  26,  Hybrid  Raspberries 
(Shaffer  seedlings)  300,  Strawberries  206  named  varieties  and  about  500 
seedlings. 

MARKET    GARDENING. 

Limited  areas  of  all  of  the  market  garden  crops,  of  the  best  standard 
and  most  promising  new  varieties  are  grown  under  glass  and  in  the  field  b}' 
the  most  approved  methods.  These  crops  are  then  prepared  for  market 
and  sold  thus  giving  the  student  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  whole 
business.  New  varieties  are  tested  in  separate  plots  and  their  merits 
discussed  before  the  students. 

FLORICULTURE. 

For  teaching  this  branch  of  horticulture  the  equipment  consists  of 
large  greenhouses  divided  into  rooms  or  houses  for  special  crops,  such  as 
the  rose,  carnation,  camellia  and  azalea,  three  propagating  rooms,  a  cold 
grapery  and  a  large  number  of  hot  bed  sashes,  mats,  shutters,  etc.  All  of 
the  commercial  greenhouse  crops  are  grown  in  limited  quantities  such  as 
roses,  carnations,  chrysanthemums  and  general  flowering  plants  for  the 
house  and  garden.  The  large  greenhouses  contain  a  very  complete  collec- 
tion of  botanical  and  economic  plants  like  the  sago,  date,  fan  and  rattan 
palms,  the  dwarf  manilla,  common  and  Abyssinian  bananas,  the  tea.  coffee, 
camphor,  cinnamon,  guava.  and  India  rubber. 


24  Thk  Massachusp:tts  AciRicui/ruRAi.  Colf.ege. 

FORESTRY    AND    LANDSCAPE    GARDENINC. 

In  this  work  a  careful  study  is  made  of  tiie  characteristics  and  methods 
of  propagation  of  ornamental  and  forest  trees  and  shrubs  together  with 
the  conditions  under  which  they  thrive  the  best,  and  the  most  effective 
arrangement  in  the  forest,  by  the  roadside  or  about  the  home  or  public 
grounds. 

PROTECTION    OF    CROPS    FROM    INSECTS    AND    FUNGOUS     PESTS. 

Practical  methods  of  destroying  insects  and  fungi  attacking  the  crops 
grown  in  this  department  are  employed  and  all  kinds  of  pumps  are  used  or 
tested  for  this  purpose. 

THE    NURSERY. 

A  nursery  containing  a  large  collection  of  both  fruit  and  ornamental 
trees  and  shrubs  is  kept  supplied  in  all  stages  of  growth  and  the  students 
are  taught  methods  of  propagation,  training  and  pruning. 


The  Chemical   Department. 


The  illustrations  numbered  one  and  two,  show  corners  in  two  of 
the  fourteen  rooms  of  this  department,  and  to  a  slight  extent,  the  manner 
in  which  chemistry  is  here  taught.  In  the  large  lecture  room  experiments 
are  performed  before  the  class.  After  a  short  course  in  demonstration 
by  the  instructor,  the  student  goes  into  the  laboratory  to  try  his  own  hand 
under  guidance.  A'iew  No.  i  shows  where  such  work  is  done.  Three 
laboratories  of  good  size  are  devoted  to  this  kind  of  instruction.  The 
smallest  is  used  by  students  who  have  advanced  far  enough  to  act  as 
assistants.      It  is  illustrated  in  No.  2. 

In  the  laboratory,  rather  than  in  the  lecture  room  or  from  books,  the 
chemical  student  gets  his  most  valuable  instruction.  Here  he  comes  into 
direct  contact  with  what  he  must  know  intimately  if  he  would  win  success 
from  the  material  world.  It  is  here  that  his  wits  are  awakened,  his  powers 
of  observation  sharpened  and  his  thinking  capacity  developed.  Many  a 
young  man  in  trying  to  find  potash  or  nitrogen,  while  at  work  in  the  chem- 
ical laboratory,  has  made  the  far  more  important  discovery  of  ^n  ability 
within  himself  which  was  hitherto  wholly  unknown  and  which  later  brought 
him  success.  The  young  man  of  to-day,  who  seeks  his  calling  among  the 
practical  industries,  should  give  the  matter  of  selection  his  best  thought. 
He  should  know  first,  what  he  may  do,  and  secondly,  what  he  (-an  do. 

Chemical  discipline  is  a  most  excellent  means  of  attaining  a  compre- 
hensive view  of  the  world's  work.  Chemical  study  shows  how  to  analyze 
the  crude  materials  of  nature,  and  tells  the  composition  of  rocks,  soils,  water 
and  air.  It  gives  like  information  concerning  the  finished  products  of 
nature,  plants  and  animals,  and  the  production  of  these  from  crude  natural 
substances  with  the  least  possible  cost.  Such  crude  and  finished  products 
of  nature  furnish  the  mw  materials  for  man  to  manufacture  into  all  sorts 
of  human  necessities  gind  conveniences.  Chemistry  teaches  how  to  do 
this,  how  to  procure  useful  metals  from  the  earth,  to  make  fat,  sugar, 
starch  and  animal  tissue  into  useful  foods. 

A  multitude  of  dairy  products  are  prepared  for  market  and  the  table. 
Just  now  this  industry  is  being  revolutionized.  The  advanced  dairyman  is 
learning  how  to  get  high  prices  for  his  products,  by  producing  ///;r  milk, 
by  carefully  separating  and  selling,  singly,  the  different  constituents  of 
milk,  by  changing  the  proportions  of    these  in  milk  so  as  to   get   the    best 


:2S  Thk  Massachusei  rs  A(;Kict;i/f["RAL   C'<.)Li.K(;e. 

nutritive  effect  for  different  persons.  Clieuiistry  is  doing  this.  It  show  how 
to  make  animal  hides  and  pelts  into  boots,  shoes  and  valuable  furs,  to  make 
fibers  like  cotton,  hemp  and  ramie  from  plants,  and  other  fibers  like,  wool, 
liair  and  silk  from  animals  into  clothing  and  various  articles  of  use  and 
beauty.  In  short,  this  study  introduces  any  young-  man,  from  city  or 
country,  to  the  outside  world  and  to  its  great  factories  and  business.  This 
college  ofters  to  voung  men  grand  facilities  for  such  an  education  and  offers 
them  at  verv  low  cost. 


Veterinary  Science. 


The  course  of  instruction  given  in  \'eterinary  Science  is  arranged  in 
:such  a  manner  as  to  meet  the  wants  of  these  students  who  after  leaving 
college  intend  to  follow  agricultural  pursuits,  especially  some  branch 
relating  to  animal  industry,  or  for  those  who  after  graduation  propose  fur- 
ther study  of  cither  human  or  veterinary  medicine.  Instruction  is  given 
to  two  classes,  namely  :  I'o  the  students  of  the  four  year  course  electing 
the  same  and  to  those  attending  the  dairy  school  during  the  winter  term. 
One  hour  each  day  during  the  three  terms  of  Senior  year  is  devoted  to 
its  study,  and  two  lectures  are  delivered  each  week  to  the  special  course 
students. 

As  at  present  arranged,  the  work  in  the  department  is  confined  to  a 
consideration  of  the  following  subjects  :  Hygiene,  Anatomy  and  Physi- 
ology, General  Pathology,  Materia  Medica  and  Special  Pathology. 

The  best  methods  of  stable  construction  to  insure  perfect  ventilation, 
lighting,  drainage,  cleanliness — the  provision  of  a  suitable  water  supply — 
the  sources  and  dangers  of  water  contamination,  the  injurious  effects  fol- 
lowing the  use  of  unwholesome  food,  cfver-f ceding,  etc.,  the  care  of  animals 
in  and  out  of  the  stable,  the  influence  of  clipping,  the  care  of  the  feet  in 
young  liorses  and  the  principles  of  shoeing,  are  some  of  the  matters  dis- 
cussed in  connection  with  hygiene. 

Tlie  anatomy  and  physiology  of  the  bony,  muscular,  circulatory, 
respiratory  and  digestive  systems,  are  studied  sufficiently  to  enable  tlie 
student  to  clearly  understand  how  the  structure  or  function  may  be  inter- 
fered with  or  destroyed  by  the  influence  of  disease. 

The  more  common  diseased  processes  and  conditions  frequently  met 
with  in  a  variety  of  ailments  such  as  alterations  in  the  blood,  inflammations, 
fevers,  etc.  together  with  discussions  referring  to  causes,  symptoms  and 
effects  of  disease  are  studied  under  General  Pathology. 

A  sufficient  time  is  given  to  Materia  Medica  to  familiarize  the  student 
with  the  source,  nature,  action  and  uses  of  drugs,  especiall}-  those  simple 
ones  that  may  be  employed  in  emergency  cases. 

Under  the  head  of  Special   Pathology  the    nature,   causes,  symptoms, 

treatment  and  prevention  of  vari(nis  diseases  are  considered.      Those  most 

frequently   occurring  as  a  result   of    improper  care,    such   as  over-feeding, 

over-work,  lack  of  exercise,  exposure,  etc.,  as  well  as  those  of  a  hereditary 

■  or  contagious  nature,  the  latter  receiving  particular  attention  on  account  of 


Vkierinary   Sciknck.  31 

their  pre\entability  by  simple  means  under  control  of  the  fanner  and  their 
relation  to  public  health.  As  examples  may  be  mentioned  indigestion, 
colic,  founder,  pneumonia,  spavins,  ring-bones,  navicular  disease,  tubercu- 
losis, glanders,  rabies,  trichinosis,  hog  cholera,  etc. 

The  lectures  in  the  class-room  are  supplemented  by  demonstrations 
and  laboratory  work.  The  accompanying  illustration  gives  a  good  idea  of 
a  part  of  the  material  used  in  connection  with  class-room  exercises.  In 
laboratory  practice  each  student  is  provided  with  a  microscope  and  acces- 
sories and  investigates  for  himself  the  nature  of  the  parasites  and  germs 
and  the  diseases  caused  by  them. 

In  so  far  as  possible  clinical  demonstrations  are  held  affording  oppor- 
tunity for  the  study  of  diseased  animals.  The  principles  of  surgery  are 
taught  by  lectures,  and  as  occasion  presents  itself  by  operations. 

To  give  a  general  idea  of  the  principles  of  veterinary  science  in  such 
a  sniiple  and  comprehensive  manner  as  to  enable  a  man  to  give  animals 
under  his  supervision  such  treatment  as  will  tend  to  prevent  the  occur- 
rence of  disease  among  them,  and  to  point  out  some  of  the  w-ays  by  which 
diseases  may  be  transmitted  from  the  domestic  animals  to  man  and  the 
means  of  controlling  and  eradicating  such  diseases  is  the  chief  aim  of  the 
course  of  stuch'  in  this  department. 


Zoological  Department. 


The  work  of  the  department  covers  two  broad  subjects  more  or  less 
akin  to  one  another,  that  of  physiology  and  that  of  zoology  and  entomol- 
ogy. The  first  is  taken  up  by  the  student  during  the  winter  term  of  the 
Sophomore  year  and  is  continued  for  one  term  of  eleven  weeks,  four  hours  a 
week.  It  is  taught  by  means  of  a  text  book,  from  which  recitations  are 
assigned  after  first  havingbeen  demonstrated  by  means  of  charts,  manikins, 
skeletons,  and  preparations  both  microscopic  and  gross.  The  aim  here 
is  to  give  a  good  fundamental  knowledge  of  bodily  structure,  the  uses  of 
the  various  parts,  and  such  a  knowledge  of  hygiene  founded  upon  the 
physiological  knowledge  already  gained  as  will  enable  the  student  to  main- 
tain and  develop  a  good  bodily  health.  The  subject  is  taught  moreover 
as  a  basis  for  the  after  study  of  the  other  subject  taught  in  this  department 
and  for  the  veterinary  science  as  w^ell. 

During  the  Junior  year,  first  term,  the  study  of  zoology  is  taken  up, 
the  student  spending  eight  hours  a  week  on  the  subject.  First  a  brief 
survey  of  the  animal  kingdom  is  taken,  with  special  study  of  the 
microscopic  forms,  after  which  the  student  goes  into  the  laboratory 
and  studies  the  actual  specimens,  not  alone  the  microscopic  forms 
of  which  an  abundance  can  be  had  from  the  pools  and  streams  in 
the  region  round  about ;  but  the  larger  and  more  complicated  creatures  as 
well,  the  idea  being  to  let  the  student  see  for  himself  by  actual  dissection 
the  precise  anatomical  nature  of  at  least  ten  different  types  of  animal  life 
ranging  in  complexity  from  the  fresh  water  polyp  to  the  dog  or  cat. 
A  lecture  course  is  offered  in  systematic  zoology  during  the  winter  term,  a 
continuation  of  that  commenced  during  the  fall,  which  is  designed  to  give 
a  comprehensive  view  of  the  animal  kingdom  in  order  to  show  the  relation- 
ship of  animals  to  one  another  and  to  man,  the  origin  and  development  of 
the  different  organs  of  the  body,  the  development  of  the  individual  as 
compared  with  that  of  the  race,  and  to  take  up  in  succession  every  animal 
of  interest  possible,   except   the  insects. 

These  lectures  are  abundantly  illustrated  by  charts,  dissectible  models 
and  preparations.  These,  when  not  in  use,  are  arranged  in  a  museum, 
in  such  a  way  as  to  emphasize  silently,  but  eloquently  the  truths  already- 
taught  in  the  lecture  room.  This  museum  contains  overfour-and-a-quarter 
thousand  distinct  species  comprising  more  than    twelve   thousand   named 


Zoological  Department.  35 

specimens,  and  for  its  size  is  one  of  the  most  complete  owned  by  any 
college  in  the  country. 

The  summer  term  Jvmior  year  is  given  up  to  the  study  of  entomology  for 
six  hours  each  week.  The  work  in  this  course  is  both  anatomical  and  sys- 
tematic, as  well  as  economic,  the  course  serving,  not  alone  to  give  those 
who  elect  entomology  the  Senior  year,  a  good  foundation  for  their  advanced 
work,  but  to  give  to  all  the  students  of  the  college  enough  of  a  knowledge 
of  the  subject  to  enable  them  to  proceed  with  intelligence  in  waging  war 
against  insect  enemies  wherever  they  may  be  found.  Each  man  is  required 
to  mount,  name,  and  arrange  a  small,  but  complete  collection  of  insects  of 
his  own  gathering. 

The  work  of  the  student  in  this  department  during  the  Senior  year  is 
entirely  elective  and  is  confined  to  advanced  work  in  entomology.  It 
extends  throughout  the  year  eight  hours  a  week  and  consists  largely  of 
laboratory  work,  in  addition  to  which  is  a  series  of  about  forty  lectures 
extending  through  the  entire  course.  These  lectures  cover  a  large  number 
of  topics  such  as  anatomy,  embryology,  transformations,  insect  architect- 
ure, luminosity,  parasitism,  etc.,  and  are  amply  illustrated  with  charts.  The 
students  are  required  to  recite  on  these  lectures.  The  laboratory  work 
consists  of  the  study  of  insects  themselves  and  that  of  entomological  liter- 
ature. The  student  first  makes  a  general  survey  of  the  whole  subject, 
studying  the  external  anatomy  of  representatives  of  each  order  of  insects 
and  the  internal  anatomy  of  a  larva,  a  pupa,  and  an  imago  or  adult  insect. 
He  then  passes  on  to  the  preparation  of  a  thesis  chosing  his  subject  in 
accordance  with  his  choice  of  profession  in  order  that  he  may  be  benefited 
in  his  future  work  by  the  knowledge  thus  gained. 

This  course  is  of  great  value  to  one  whose  purpose  it  is  to  be  either  a 
farmer,  a  market  gardener,  a  fruit  grower,  or  one  interested  in  forestry,  as 
the  knowledge  here  gained  may  mean  a  great  saving  of  money  in  the 
future  ;  while  to  the  one  who  would  be  a  professional  entomologist  or  a 
teacher  of  biology  it  gives  an  entomological  training  second  to  that  offered 
in  no  institution  in  the  world. 


The  Hatch  Experiment  Station. 


The  experiment  department  of  the  college  is  known  as  the  Hatch  Exper- 
iment Station.  It  has  a  director  and  seven  distinct  divisions  as  follows  : 
Agriculture,  Horticulture,  Botany,  Chemistry  (fertilizers  and  fertilizing 
materials).  Chemistry  (foods  and  feeding),  Entomology  and  Meteorology. 
Besides  the  heads  of  the  several  departments  ten  assistants  are  employed. 
These  men  are  generally  selected  from  the  graduates  of  the  college  who 
have  done  creditable  work  during  their  college  course  and  who  have  espec- 
ially prepared  themselves  for  station  work.  The  station  often  finds 
difficulty  in  retaining  their  services  for  any  length  of  time,  because  from 
their   training,    superior  financial  inducements  are  offered  them  elsewhere. 

Station  Buildings  :  -  A  large  laboratory  -building,  recently  remod- 
eled is  devoted  exclusively  to  the  chemical  work  of  the  station.  Near 
by  is  situated  the  substantial  physiological  laboratory  with  green- 
house attached,  for  the  purpose  of  studying  plant  growth  and  disease. 
Two  large  storage  barns,  together  with  a  considerable  area  of  land,  is  set 
aside  for  the  use  of  the  agricultural  department.  The  department  of  foods 
and  feeding  has  a  stable  of  its  own,  especially  arranged  for  animal  experi- 
ments. The  entomological  and  horticultural  departments  have  suitably 
equipped  green  houses  for  experimental  work  ;  the  latter  department 
devotes  quite  an  area  of  land  and  experiments  to  fruit  culture. 

Work  of  the  Station  :  The  work  of  the  station  can  be  divided  into 
three  parts  :   (a)  information,  (b)   control,  (c)   investigation. 

The  various  officers  of  the  station  are  ready  at  all  times  to  give  infor- 
mation on  any  topic  connected  with  the  different  branches  of  agriculture. 
It  is  always  the  object  of  the  station  wf)rkers  to  answer  all  inquiries  as 
fully  and  promptly  as  possible. 

The  control  work  includes  the  inspection  of  commercial  fertilizers  as 
required  by  law.  The  analysis  of  all  kinds  of  fertilizing  material,  cattle 
feeds,  drinking  waters,  and  dairy  products,  as  well  as  the  identification  of 
grasses,  insects,  and  fruits,  is  made  free  of  cost  for  all  parties  within  the 
state. 

There  is  constantly  being  carried  on  at  the  station,  various  original 
investigations  of  many  problems  connected  with  agriculture.  The  chemical 
and  agricultural  departments  are  studying  the  special  uses  of  the  different 
kinds  and  combinations  of  plant  food  for  different  crops,  the  adaptation  of 
soils  to  crops,  and  the  most  desirable  varieties  of  plants  to  grow  for  specific 


38  The  Massachusetis  Agkiculiurai,  CoLLEfJE. 

purposes.  The  botanical  and  entomological  divisions  are  concerned  espec- 
ially with  the  different  plant  diseases  and  insects  that  attack  plants,  and 
how  best  to  check  their  ravages.  The  department  of  horticulture  is  study- 
ing problems  in  fruit  culture,  while  the  feeding  department  is  engaged  in 
investigating  the  relative  values  of  cattle  feeds,  and  in  noting  the  effects  of 
these  feeds  in  different  combinations,  upon  the  cost  and  quality  of  the 
resulting  products. 

Bulletins  containing  the  results  of  the  investigation  and  control  work, 
are  published  at  intervals  during  the  year,  for  free  distribution  to  all  parties 
who  apply  for  them.  An  annual  report  is  also  published,  giving  a  summary 
of  the  year's  work. 

For  bulletins  or  information,  address  the  Hatch  Experiment  Station, 
Amherst,  Mass. 


Political  Science. 


To  make  the  good  citizen  and  the  successful  man  of  business  is  the 
aim  of  this  department.  To  members  of  the  short  winter  courses  are 
offered  eleven  lectures  on  the  economics  of  agriculture.  The  topics  dis- 
cussed are  the  farmer  as  a  landlord,  capitalist,  business  manager  and  lab- 
orer;  the  farmer  as  related  to  taxation,  railroads,  cooperation,  banking  and 
the  currency;  the  English  farmer;  the  American  farmer.  'J'o  members  of 
the  Senior  class  the  following  courses  are  offered  : 

I .  Principles  of  Political  Economy  by  text  book  and  lectures.  The 
object  is  to  make  the  student  familiar  with  the  essential  facts,  laws  and 
methods  of  investigation  used  in  the  science  so  that  he  may  be  able  to 
understand  and  criticise  current  discussions  and  make  vise  of  the  best 
authorities. 

3.  Industrial  History  of  England  and  America.  The  aim  is  to 
discover  what  the  actual  results  have  been  of  the  practical  working  of 
economic  theory  in  the  production,  distribution  and  consumption  of  wealth. 

3.  A  course  of  lectures  on  economic  problems  of  to-day,  including 
monopolies,  finance,  relations  of  labor  and  capital  and  "the  economics  of 
agriculture. 

4.  Practical  work  on  the  part  of  the  student  toward  the  solution  of 
economic  problems.  He  selects  a  question  in  which  he  is  specially  inter- 
ested and  makes  a  thorough  study  of  the  subject  using  original  sources  of 
information.  He  is  taught  to  observe  the  facts,  classify  them  and  give  a 
rational  explanation.  The  results  of  his  work  he  presents  to  the  class  in 
the  form  of  a  thesis  w'hich  he  is  to  defend  against  all  objections. 

5.  .Science  of  Government.  The  fundamental  principles  of  govern- 
ment are  examined  as  set  forth  in  the  constitution  of  the  Comn:onwealth, 
and  of  the  United  States.  A  study  is  then  made  of  the  town,  city,  country, 
state  and  federal  institutions  of  government,  as  to  iheir  origin,  develop- 
ment and  practical  working.  The  purpose  is  to  make  clear  the  duties  and 
privileges  of  the  American  citizen. 


The  nilitary  Department. 


The  Military  Department  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College 
has  a  three  fold  object  in  view,  first  the  dissemination  of  military  knowledge 
and  training  throughout  the  country  so  that  in  event  of  war  the  United 
States  will  have  a  certain  number  of  trained  soldiers  at  its  disposal  for  com- 
missioned officers  of  volunteers,  second  the  physical  exercise  and 
muscular  training  which  is  vmiversally  conceded  to  be  a  very  important 
factor  in  the  development  of  the  youth  of  the  country  and  third  the  incul- 
cating in  young  men  that  respect  for  those  in  authority  which  can  only  be 
obtained  through  a  certain  amount  of  military  discipline  and  for  which  all 
men  become  better  citizens. 

In  order  that  the  first  object  may  be  satisfactorily  attained,  officers  of 
the  army  are  detailed,  at  the  request  of  the  college  authorities,  to  certain 
state  colleges  or  institutions  which  are  fostered  by  the  general  government. 
The  duty  of  these  officers  is  to  train  the  students  in  military  science  and 
tactics.  The  government  also  supplies  this  college  with  rifles  and  equip- 
ments for  same,  two  3.2  breech  loading  field  pieces  of  the  most  modern 
pattern,  and  a  certain  amount  of  ordnance  supplies  annually.  In  addition 
the  college  has  built  a  large  and  commodious  drill  hall  and  gymnasium,  an 
armory,  gun  shed,  recitation  room  and  commandant's  office.  I  doubt  if 
there  is  an  Agricultural  College  in  the  United  States  where  the  military 
department  is  as  thoroughly  equipped  as  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural 
College  or  one  where  the  drill  and  discipline  of  the  military  department  are 
more  thoroughly  appreciated  by  the  college  avithorities. 

There  are  three  hours  drill  a  week  for  the  whole  college 
and  one  hour  recitation  for  the  Senior  class.  The  cadets  are 
instructed  in  infantry  drill  through  the  school  of  the  battalion  in  both 
close  and  extended  order,  in  sabre  exercise  and  school  of  "  the 
trooper  dismounted,  in  the  school  of  the  cannoneer,  in  signalling 
with  heliograph  and  flag,  in  target  shooting,  and  in  a  course  of 
lectures  covering  advance  and  rear  guards,  outpost  and  picket  duty,  recon- 
naissance, castramentation,  hygiene,  hasty  intrenchments.  elementary  field 
engineering  and  military  law. 

The  same  amount  of  proficiency  is  required  as  in  the  other  depart- 
ments of  the  college  and  a  military  diploma  is  given  at  the  end  of  the 
college  course  to  all  those  who  have  been  pronounced   proficient. 


Studeni    Organizations  and  Enterprises.  43; 

No  one  who  has  ever  seen  the  corps  of  cadets  at  West  Point  can 
doubt  the  benefits  of  mihtary  drill  to  the  young  man's  physique  and 
although  limited  time  does  not  enable  us  to  do  as  much  in  this  respect  as 
we  would  like,  yet  all  must  agree  when  it  is  said  that  the  most  is  made  of 
what  time  we  have  and  that  a  young  man  becomes  abetter  citizen  for  being 
well  "  set  up  "  and  for  having  been  subject  to  military  discipline  for  a 
part  of  his  college  course. 


Student  Organizations  and  Enterprises. 


The  undergraduate  organizations  play  an  important  part  in  modern 
college  life,  and  we  give  a  brief  summary  of  the  work  being  done  here  by 
such  organizations,  believing  that  it  will  be  of  interest  to  prospective- 
students. 

A(;(;iE   IJFE. 

The  Aggie  Life,  a  sixteen  page  bi-weekly  journal,  is  the  official  organ 
of  the  college,  and  is  edited  and  managed  by  a  board  of  ten  students;  five 
from  the  Senior,  three  from  the  Junior,  and  two  from  the  Sophomore  class 
respectively.  The  editorial  positions  are  awarded  to  those  who  do  the 
best  work  in  an  open  competition,  the  appointments  being  made  by  the 
Senior  members  of  the  retiring  board.  The  tone  of  the  paper  is  high,  and 
it  compares  very  favorably  with  the  best  college  journals  in  the  country. 

I  HE    INDEX. 

The  college  annual  known  as  the  Index  usually  takes  the  form  of  a 
handsome  book  of  about  240  pages.  It  is  published  by  the  Junior  class^ 
a  board  of  eight  men  being  elected  from  this  class  to  have  charge  of  the 
editorial  work.  The  book  contains  class  and  society  lists,  a  classified  list 
of  the  alumni,  college  organizations,  athletic  and  other  associations,  and  the 
happenings  of  the  year. 

THE    N.    H.    s. 

The  Natural  History  Society  has  for  its  object  the  study  of  the  natural 
sciences.  It  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  college  associations,  and  is 
well  organized  under  its  student  officers  and  board  of  directors.  During" 
the  spring  and  fall,  excursions  are  made  to  various  localities  of  interest  in 
the  .surrounding  country,  while  the  winter  work  is  carried  on  in  the  form 
of  lectures  given  one  each  week  by  members  of  the  faculty  or  by  students 
pursuing  some  original  work. 


SruDKNr  Organizations  and  Other   Enteri'risks.  45 

Y.  M.  c.  A. 
The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  is  the  center  of  the  religious 
interest  of  the  college.  Its  influence  upon  the  students  is  most  beneficial, 
and  under  its  direction  are  conducted  the  Sunday  Morning  Bible  Class, 
and  the  Sunday  and  Thursday  prayer  meetings.  The  association  is 
thoroughly  organized  with  officers  and  committees  for  the  different  depart- 
ments of  its  work. 

GLEE    AND    BANJO    CLUBS. 

These  hold  an  important  place  here  as  they  do  in  every  American 
college.  The  clubs  have  competent  leaders  and  excellent  trainers,  under 
whose  direction  very  creditable  concerts  are  given.  The  clubs  usually  go 
on  two  or  three  short  trips  each  season,  these  trips  being  so  arranged  as 
not  to  interfere  with  regular  college  duties. 

FOOTBALL    ASSOCIATION. 

This  organization  is  supported  b}-  voluntary  contributions  from  the 
students,  and  is  carefully  managed.  No  men  deficient  in  their  regular 
college  work  are  allowed  to  play  on  the  team.  This  is  true  of  all  our 
college  teams.  Early  each  fall  the  captain  calls  out  the  candidates  for  the 
team,  and  under  the  direction  of  the  captain  and  the  coach  a  strict  course 
of  training  is  followed.  No  favoritism  is  shown,  and  to  the  best  men  are 
given  the  positions. 

BASEBALL    ASSOCI A'r TON. 

'I'he  organization  and  management  are  similar  to  those  of  the  football 
association.  Practice  is  carried  on  in  the  drill  hall  during  the  winter  as  a 
preparation  for  the  out-of-door  work  in  the  spring.  A  strong  team  is 
usually  developed. 

READING     ROOM    ASSOCIATION. 

This  association  is  supported  by  a  small  tax  levied  upon  the  students, 
and  has  charge  of  the  distribution  of  the  mail,  and  also  of  the  reading  room. 
Here  are  furnished  the  leading  daily  papers  of  the  country,  the  monthly 
magazines,  and  all  of  the  more  important  weekly  publications,  comic  and 
otherwise. 

APHLETIC    ASSOCIA'ITON. 

During  the  winter  interesting  athletic  meets  are  held  in  the  drill  hall 
gymnasium,  and  in  the  spring  a  field  day  devoted  largely  to  track  athletics 
is  given. 

POLO    ASSOCIATION. 

Each  winter,  games  of  polo  are  arranged  with  other  colleges,  and 
niany  of  these  are  played  on  the  college  pond. 


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48  The  Massachusetj's  Agricultural  College. 

tennis  association. 
There  are  excellent  tennis  courts  at  the  college,  and   each  spring  the 
Tennis  Association  conducts  a  tournament,  awarding  prizes   to   the   most 
skillful  players. 

THE    K.    K.    K. 

The  K.  K.  K.  or  Kollege  Kemical  Klub  is  an  organization  recently 
founded  for  the  purpose  of  advancing  the  social  and  intellectual  life  of  the 
students.  A  kneipe  is  held  once  in  two  weeks,  and  a  commers  given  once 
during  each  term. 

SECRET    SOCIETIES. 

There  are  four  secret  societies  in  the  college  :  D.  G.  K.,  Q.  T.  V., 
O  2  K.  and  the  College  Shakespearean  Club. 


